Addis Ababa/ Geneva - On April 23 2003, Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) launched a nutritional emergency intervention in Damot Gale District, Wollayita Zone, southern region of Ethiopia (SNNPRS). A survey conducted by MSF from April 7 to 15, 2003, showed a critical nutritional status of children-under-5 years of age in the district.

According to the results of the survey, an estimated 3,000 to 4,000 children are currently acutely malnourished and in need of immediate medical and nutritional assistance. The results of the survey show a prevalence of 27.5% of Global Acute Malnutrition and 8.2% of Severe Acute Malnutrition.

In order to respond to this emergency situation, MSF has opened two Therapeutic Feeding Centres (medical rehabilitation for severely malnourished children) in Boditi and Buge, to which already 250 children have been admitted and treated. MSF seeks to extend its capacities in the near future: From Monday, May 19, a preventive distribution of high-energy food rations will start for 22,000 children.

Furthermore, a Supplementary Feeding Program will be implemented as soon as possible to prevent the deterioration of the nutritional status of the many moderately malnourished children. An MSF emergency team of 250 staff will handle the project. Wollayita is regularly affected by acute nutritional crises, mainly due to the high population density in the area (602 people/km2), an under-developed agriculture, a deficient early warning system and exacerbated this year by climatic conditions. In 2000, MSF has already intervened in Damot Gale District by implementing a similar type of emergency response.

"We urgently need an effective General Food Distribution by the concerned actors to prevent a further deterioration of the situation until the next harvest", explained Laurent Ligozat, head of the MSF emergency unit in Geneva. The relevant authorities have realized the gravity of this critical situation during the last days.

They have promised to review the number of beneficiaries targeted by their regular food distribution, taking into account the results of the recent MSF survey and to implement the distribution of extra rations. "We will closely monitor whether adequate food rations will finally arrive in the district and reach the most vulnerable", said Ligozat.